ATBECHDEDKESFRGBGRITLILUNLSEMCPTIESI....FIRO..CY..TRBGCZEEHU..SK................*JDIM360 (Ver 1.5 21 Nov 2005) - 2100000/01506087EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATIONB120060726EP03752859.3200305202004111920050509enenen021157320020521GB20060726200630200502162005072006072620063020051208B31B 19/90 20060101AFI20031203BHEP B29C 65/18 20060101ALI20031203BHEP deANBRINGEN VON REISSVERSCHLÜSSEN AN FOLIENMATERIALenAPPLICATION OF ZIPPERS TO FILM MATERIALfrAPPLICATION DE FERMETURES A GLISSIERE SUR UN MATERIAU PELLICULAIREWO-A-00/50226DE-B- 1 230 299GB-A- 1 011 722GB-A- 2 349 603US-A- 3 692 608US-A- 4 655 862US-A- 4 979 933US-A- 5 102 485LEIGHTON, Murray, Edward, Bruce20A York Road HarrogateYorkshire HL1 5HZGBSupreme Plastics Holdings Limited00281792RA/P303246EPSupreme House 300 Regents Park RoadFinchley London N3 2TLGBW.P. Thompson & Co.00101053Eastcheap House Central ApproachLetchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire SG6 3DSGBATBEBGCHCYCZDEDKEEESFIFRGBGRHUIEITLILUMCNLPTROSESISKTRGB200300215820030520enWO200309734120031127200348

This invention relates to methods of and apparatus for applying recloseable fastener profiles, otherwise known as zippers, to film material, where the zipper is applied transversely to the direction of movement of the film material.

Transverse web or cross-web technology is now well known, where a zipper is applied transversely to the longitudinal axis of a film, but by its very nature the inclusion of means to stop the film and apply the zipper makes a continuously operating unit inefficient.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method of and apparatus for applying the zipper while the film material or web is still moving at the normal line rate, thus maintaining the efficiency of the line operation.

The method and apparatus of the present invention are applicable both to continuously operating horizontal units and machines and to continuously operating vertical units and machines.

GB-A-1011722 (Molins) describes an apparatus for applying a tear strip to a web of wrapper material. The tear strips are formed by cutting across the width of a continuous sheet of material (i.e. longitudinally of the tear strip) and are fed to the web in the direction of the movement of the web.

DE-B-1230299 (Windmöller & Hölscher) is concerned with the application of 'valve sheets' periodically along the length of a web.

Broadly in accordance with one aspect of the invention there is provided a method of applying a zipper strip to a film transversely to the direction of movement of the film, which comprises moving the film continuously at constant speed, feeding the zipper strip longitudinally to an applicator means which presents the zipper strip to the film at a first location, arranging for sealing means to begin sealing of the strip to the film at said first location, and moving the sealing means with the zipper strip at the same speed as the film to a second location at which sealing has been completed.

Conveniently, the zipper strip is presented to the film at the first location by a first one of a plurality of applicators and at least one successive zipper strip is presented at the same location by a respective one of the remainder of the plurality of applicators.

Advantageously, the plurality of applicators are used cyclically. The number of applicators may then be a convenient small number, such as three.

The zipper strips are preferably supplied to the applicators at the second location and are moved to the first location during a respective operating cycle. This need not be the case however and the zipper strips may be supplied to the applicators at any point between the second and the first location in the direction of movement of the applicators during an operating cycle.

Broadly in accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for applying a zipper strip to a film transversely to the direction of movement of the film, comprising means for causing the film to move continuously at constant speed, applicator means to which the zipper strip is fed longitudinally and which are arranged to present the zipper strip to the film at a first location and to advance the strip downstream at the same speed as the film, and sealing means arranged to move downstream at the same speed as the film to effect sealing of the strip to the film between said first location and a second location downstream from said first location.

Preferably, the applicator means comprises a continuous band arranged in proximity to the film, which carries a plurality of strip-receiving units and which is intermittently movable to present the strips to the film in timed relationship to the movement of the film.

Advantageously, the continuous band is internally slotted and is in engagement thereby with sprockets on a rotatable drive means for the continuous band.

Conveniently, the continuous band is externally slotted to receive therein the plurality of strip-receiving units.

Preferably, on the side of the film opposite to the applicator means there is a sealing unit which is reciprocable between an upstream location and a downstream location, which is movable into contact with the film at the upstream location in alignment with a zipper strip, and which travels to the downstream location at the same speed as the film and in contact with the film.

One presently preferred embodiment of continuous cross web applicator in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a schematic illustration of the applicator.

In the drawing, a continuously moving web or film material is indicated by the broken line 10 and, as indicated by arrow 12, moves from left to right in the drawing. The applicator which is indicated generally at 14 comprises a pair of rotatable driving wheels 16a, 16b which provide a driving motion for a continuous band, chain or belt 18 which, as indicated by arrows 21, travels in the anticlockwise direction, so that the lower run of the band 18 travels in the same direction as the film material 10 and parallel to it. The band 18 is provided with a regular array of slots 20 on both its inside and outside surfaces. The inner slots engage with sprockets on the drive wheels 16a, 16b. The outer slots enable the band to carry a plurality of strip receiving units in the form of upper seal bars, three of which are shown at 22a, 22b and 22c in the applicator illustrated in the drawing. The three upper seal bars shown in the drawing are equispaced around the periphery of the band 18. Upper seal bar 22a is positioned at station 1; upper seal bar 22b is positioned at station 2; upper seal bar 22c is positioned at station 3. Each of the upper seal bars is arranged to receive and hold a length of zipper which is to be applied to the film material 12.

Positioned below the film material 10 is a single lower seal bar 24 which is movable in a reciprocating manner as indicated by arrow 26 between a position A and a position B. In the illustrated embodiment, the positions A and B are spaced by a distance which is approximately equal to half the length of the lower run of the band 18.

In operation, the zipper, customarily cut from a length of zipper material, is supplied to the upper seal bar 22c at station 3. At this time the lower seal bar 24 is at position A. Upper seal bar 22c is then moved by the band 18 through station 1 to station 2 where it dwells. As it dwells here, upper seal bar 22a will be receiving the next zipper at station 3. The upper seal bar which is positioned at station 2 waits there for the correct position of the film material 10 to apply the zipper to the film. In a correctly timed relationship the upper seal bar at station 2 moves down into proximity to the film material 12 and moves forward at the same speed as that of the film. At the same time the lower seal bar 24 moves up at position A to begin the sealing of the film 10 to the zipper and travels at the same speed as the film to position B where the sealing has been completed and the zipper has been sealed to the film. The lower seal bar 24 is then lowered at position B and returns to position A where it waits for the next application point. One thus has a continuously moving film 10 and an intermittently moving band 18.

 Apparatus for applying a zipper strip to a film (10) transversely to the direction of movement of the film, comprising means for causing the film to move continuously at constant speed, applicator means (14) to which the zipper strip is fed longitudinally and which are arranged to present the zipper strip to the film at a first location (A) and to advance the strip downstream at the same speed as the film, and sealing means (24) arranged to move downstream at the same speed as the film to effect sealing of the strip to the film between said first location and a second location (B) downstream from said first location. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which, on the side of the film opposite to the applicator means, there is a sealing unit (24) which is reciprocable between an upstream location (A) and a downstream location (B), which is movable into contact with the film at the upstream location in alignment with a zipper strip, and which travels to the downstream location at the same speed as the film and in contact with the film. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, in which the applicator means comprises a continuous band (18) arranged in proximity to the film, which carries a plurality of strip-receiving units (22a, 22b, 22c) and which is intermittently movable to present the strips to the film in timed: relationship to the movement of the film. Apparatus according to claim 3, in which the continuous band is internally slotted (20) and is in engagement thereby with sprockets (16a, 16b) on a rotatable drive means for the continuous band. Apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, in which the continuous band is externally slotted (20) to receive therein the plurality of strip-receiving units. A method of applying a zipper strip to a film (10) transversely to the direction of movement of the film, which comprises moving the film continuously at constant speed, feeding the zipper strip longitudinally to an applicator means which presents the zipper strip to the film at a first location (A), arranging for sealing means (24) to begin sealing of the strip to the film at said first location, and moving the sealing means with the zipper strip at the same speed as the film to a second location (B) at which sealing has been completed. A method according to claim 6, in which the zipper strip is presented to the film at the first location (A) by a first one (22a) of a plurality of strip receiving units which the applicator means comprise and at least one successive zipper strip is presented at the same location by a respective one of the remainder (22b, 22c) of the plurality of strip receiving units. A method according to claim 7, in which the plurality of strip receiving units are used cyclically. A method according to claim 8, in which the zipper strips are supplied to the strip-receiving units at the second location (B) and are moved to the first location (A) during a respective operating cycle. Vorrichtung zum Anbringen eines Reißverschlusses an einer Folie (10) quer zur Bewegungsrichtung der Folie, welche Mittel, um die Folie zu veranlassen, sich kontinuierlich mit konstanter Geschwindigkeit zu bewegen, Applikatormittel (14), welchen der Reißverschluss in Längsrichtung zugeführt wird und welche so gestaltet sind, dass sie den Reißverschluss der Folie an einer ersten Stelle (A) präsentieren und den Reißverschluss stromabwärts mit derselben Geschwindigkeit wie die Folie vorwärts bewegen, und Dichtmittel (24), die so gestaltet sind, dass sie sich stromabwärts mit derselben Geschwindigkeit wie die Folie bewegen, um das Abdichten des Reißverschlusses zu der Folie zwischen der ersten Stelle und einer zweiten Stelle (B) stromabwärts von der ersten Stelle zu bewirken, aufweist. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, in welcher auf der den Applikatormitteln gegenüberliegenden Seite der Folie eine Dichteinheit (24) vorhanden ist, welche eine hin- und hergehende Bewegung zwischen einer stromaufwärts befindlichen Stelle (A) und einer stromabwärts befindlichen Stelle (B) ausführen kann, welche in Kontakt mit der Folie an der stromaufwärts befindlichen Stelle bewegt werden kann, so dass sie bezüglich eines Reißverschlusses ausgerichtet ist, und welche sich zu der stromabwärts befindlichen Stelle mit derselben Geschwindigkeit wie die Folie und in Kontakt mit der Folie befindlich bewegt. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, bei welcher das Applikatormittel ein in der Nähe der Folie angeordnetes endloses Band (18) aufweist, welches mehrere Reißverschluss-Aufnahmeeinheiten (22a, 22b, 22c) trägt und welches diskontinuierlich bewegt werden kann, um zeitlich abgestimmt mit der Bewegung der Folie die Reißverschlüsse der Folie zu präsentieren. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 3, bei welcher das endlose Band innen mit Nuten (20) versehen ist und sich dadurch in Eingriff mit Transportrollen (16a, 16b) auf einem rotierenden Antriebsmittel für das endlose Band befindet. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 3 oder 4, bei welcher das endlose Band außen mit Nuten (20) versehen ist, um darin die mehreren Reißverschluss-Aufnahmeeinheiten aufzunehmen. Verfahren zum Anbringen eines Reißverschlusses an einer Folie (10) quer zur Bewegungsrichtung der Folie, welches umfasst: kontinuierliches Bewegen der Folie mit konstanter Geschwindigkeit, Zuführen des Reißverschlusses in Längsrichtung zu einem Applikatormittel, welches den Reißverschluss der Folie an einer ersten Stelle (A) präsentiert, Treffen von Vorkehrungen dafür, dass Dichtmittel (24) mit dem Abdichten des Reißverschlusses zu der Folie an der ersten Stelle beginnen, und Bewegen der Dichtmittel mit dem Reißverschluss mit derselben Geschwindigkeit wie die Folie zu einer zweiten Stelle (B), an welcher das Abdichten beendet worden ist. Verfahren nach Anspruch 6, bei welchem der Reißverschluss der Folie an der ersten Stelle (A) von einer ersten (22a) von mehreren Reißverschluss-Aufnahmeeinheiten präsentiert wird, welche die Applikatormittel aufweisen, und mindestens ein nachfolgender Reißverschluss an derselben Stelle von einer verbleibenden Reißverschluss-Aufnahmeeinheit (22b, 22c) von den mehreren Reißverschluss-Aufnahmeeinheiten präsentiert wird. Verfahren nach Anspruch 7, bei welchem die mehreren Reißverschluss-Aufnahmeeinheiten zyklisch verwendet werden. Verfahren nach Anspruch 8, bei welchem die Reißverschlüsse den Reißverschluss-Aufnahmeeinheiten an der zweiten Stelle (B) zugeführt werden und zu der ersten Stelle (A) während eines entsprechenden Arbeitszyklus bewegt werden. Appareil pour appliquer une bande déchirable à un film (10) transversalement à la direction du mouvement du film, comprenant des moyens pour faire en sorte que le film se déplace de façon continue et à vitesse constante, des moyens d'applicateur (14) qui sont approvisionnés longitudinalement en bande déchirable et qui sont disposés pour présenter la bande déchirable au film en un premier emplacement (A) et pour faire avancer la bande vers l'aval à la même vitesse que le film et des moyens de soudage (24) disposés pour se déplacer vers l'aval à la même vitesse que le film pour effectuer le soudage de la bande au film entre ledit premier emplacement et un second emplacement (B) en aval dudit premier emplacement. Appareil selon la revendication 1, dans lequel, de l'autre côté du film par rapport aux moyens d'applicateur, il y a une unité de soudage (24) qui peut faire le va-et-vient entre un emplacement amont (A) et un emplacement aval (B), que l'on peut amener au contact du film à l'emplacement amont dans l'alignement d'une bande déchirable et qui se déplace vers l'emplacement aval à la même vitesse que le film et au contact du film. Appareil selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel les moyens d'applicateur comprennent une courroie continue (18) disposée à proximité du film, qui transporte une pluralité d'unités réceptrices de bande (22a, 22b, 22c) et qui est mobile par intermittence pour présenter les bandes au film dans un mouvement réglé sur celui du film. Appareil selon la revendication 3, dans lequel la courroie continue a des crans (20) sur sa face interne et s'engrène par ceux-ci avec des roues dentées (16a, 16b) sur un moyen d'entraînement rotatif pour la courroie continue. Appareil selon la revendication 3 ou 4, dans lequel la courroie continue a des crans (20) sur sa face externe pour y recevoir la pluralité d'unités réceptrices de bande. Procédé d'application d'une bande déchirable à un film (10) transversalement à la direction du mouvement du film, qui comprend les opérations consistant à déplacer le film de façon continue et à vitesse constante, alimenter longitudinalement en bande déchirable des moyens d'applicateur qui présentent la bande déchirable au film en un premier emplacement (A), faire en sorte que les moyens de soudage (24) commencent à souder la bande au film audit premier emplacement et déplacer les moyens de soudage avec la bande déchirable à la même vitesse que le film jusqu'à un second emplacement (B) où le soudage a été achevé. Procédé selon la revendication 6, dans lequel la bande déchirable est présentée au film au premier emplacement (A) par la première (22a) d'une pluralité d'unités réceptrices de bande faisant partie des moyens d'applicateur et dans lequel au moins une bande déchirable successive est présentée au endroit par une unité respective parmi les autres unités (22b, 22c) de la pluralité d'unités réceptrices de bande. Procédé selon la revendication 7, dans lequel on utilise la pluralité d'unités réceptrices de bande de façon cyclique. Procédé selon la revendication 8, dans lequel on approvisionne les unités réceptrices de bande en bandes déchirables au second emplacement (B) puis on déplace les bandes jusqu'au premier emplacement (A) pendant le cycle de fonctionnement correspondant.